Lockdown proves value of green belt say campaigners, and three-quarters agree

The little patches of woodland, greenery and meadow on the fringe of every town and city have proved such a lifeline during quarantine that nearly three-quarters of adults now believe they must be protected and enhanced.

The figures have emerged in a survey by the Campaign to Protect Rural England and the Homeowners’ Alliance, who say they give the lie to accusations of “nimbyism” against those who seek to preserve them.

The poll, conducted by YouGov, found that 72 per cent of adults in Yorkshire, and a similar number elsewhere, believe that local green spaces, including the countryside next door to where they live, should be enhanced, with most favouring increases in plant and wildlife, better maintenance and more signposted walks.

Crispin Truman, chief executive of the CPRE, said the findings would make it hard for planners and housebuilders to justify encroaching onto designated green belts and other semi-rural spaces.

“The green belts in York and in West and South Yorkshire are often neglected and too often you hear the argument that people need more houses there. This survey demonstrates that it’s not such an easy trade-off,” he told The Yorkshire Post.

“Hopefully, the awareness will say to developers, councils and Government that we need countryside near to where people live, and that developments belong on the brownfield sites that we have plenty of.”

He added: “The green belt has a modern purpose in the 21st century. It’s protecting people’s wellbeing and it’s a haven for plant and wildlife that we’re at risk of losing in this country.

“Too much green space has already been lost as the countryside next to our largest towns and cities faces mounting pressure for development. If the Government is serious about learning the lessons of the pandemic, it must use upcoming planning reforms to protect these precious spaces and recognise their value as a natural health service.”

Figures from the CPRE suggest that across West and South Yorkshire, 46,000 new houses have been proposed on green belt land, with only a quarter deemed “affordable”, and Mr Truman said it was “unfair” of planners to accuse those who opposed them of so-called nimbyism – not wanting developments in their own back yard.

Paula Higgins, chief executive of the Homeowners’ Alliance, said the use of urban sites for housing developments would itself create more green spaces by improving environments that were often barren or derelict.

“Developing brownfield sites will help encourage the environment around them because you’ll have people to go and visit them and to value them.

“By cleaning out a site you can bring it back to greenfield by planting trees, and that would go some way towards improving the environment around many towns and cities.”

But developers were drawn to green belt sites because they were often larger and because properties could command higher prices, she said.

“Planning reform should ensure that green spaces are not considered an afterthought or a nice extra, given the positive role they can play in people’s lives,” Ms Higgins said.

The campaign to preserve local green spaces was launched amid celebrations that councillors in Sheffield had thrown out plans for 200 houses on a wildlife haven, against advice from their own planning officials.

The development at Owlthorpe Fields had been the subject of a 1,000-name petition collected by a local action group. Dr Andy Tickle, of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, said the councillors had “made the right decision”.

Last month, the Government rejected plans by another developer to build 516 homes on land near Askham Bog, a site of scientific interest in the Vale of York, although the ruling could still be challenged in the High Court.

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and Sir David Attenborough were among those opposed to the development, with Sir David saying he was “absolutely delighted that such a treasure has been saved”.

Other contentious sites of prospective developments on or near green belt land are at Burley-in-Wharfedele and Menston, near Ilkley.

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